A thorny issue

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10
Feb
2010

Ruby at a training session

Julie Cozze-Young first volunteered as a Puppy Socialiser for Dogs for the Disabled, the assistance dog training charity, in April 2007. She wanted to be involved in the work that helped disabled people live fuller, more independent lives with the help of their trained assistance dogs. Recently, Julie welcomed Ruby, her second Dogs for the Disabled puppy into her home, and in her blog we follow her progress as she socialises and trains Ruby.

“Firstly, thank you to all the readers of Ruby’s blog for so many kind words wishing her a swift and full recovery. Your support for Ruby and for Dogs for the Disabled is very much appreciated.

So how has Ruby been? Well, the answer to that question is very much a good news and bad news story.

Starting with the good news: the rest that Ruby received had enabled a vast improvement in her hind right leg. My husband had gradually started to exercise her on the lead, and she did not appear to be in any discomfort when walking. So we will keep an eye out for any signs of a recurrence, but, hopefully, the muscle has healed.

Unfortunately, there is a new injury to report: on returning from one of her gentle walks last week, Ruby started to hold her front left paw in the air, unwilling to put any weight on it.

As part of the puppy training programme, I have taught Ruby to stand, sit and lie down, and have also ensured that she allows anyone to check her mouth/teeth, ears, eyes and paws on command. This is especially important at the vets as well as for the client who will be handling her in the future, and meant that, in this case, I could quickly command her to lie down so that I could take a close look at her leg and paw.

On closer inspection, I discovered a quarter inch thorn from a blackthorn plant embedded in her paw, in between two of her pads. I was able to pull it out, but recognised there was a risk of infection, so my husband took Ruby in to see the vet again and came away with a course of anti-inflammatory tablets and some antibiotics.

For the first couple of days, Ruby was not able to put full weight on her foot, but in the last two days she has been improving and is now stepping on it okay but still with a slight limp.

Obviously this has meant that exercise has been restricted to the confines of the garden again, but I am hoping we can start to gradually build up her activities once she has completed the course of medication and has the all clear.

So, I am hopeful that by the next blog I will be able to confirm that she is back to her usual healthy self, supported by your kind words and messages!”